Best cheap knife with a blade, saw, scissors, and a file.

E

EvanJO

Joined
Nov 10, 2015
Messages
7
Hi guys. I'm new to this forum and I'm not sure if I'm even in the right section to post questions. However I will because all you guys seem pretty nice from your other posts. So here goes. I'm currently short on cash, but I need a multi-purpose knife just to carry around with me, since I do a lot of volunteer work. I was wondering if anyone knew a good knife for under $50 with the four above tools. I know the price point I'm asking is ridiculous and I've already been through most of every manufacturers. However I don't want to miss anything, so any suggestions would be helpful. If I can't find a knife with those four tools, I'm going with the the victorinox Fieldmaster.
 
Looks great brother. I'm still debating if I want to go with the Fieldmaster anyway, cause it's 20 dollars cheaper on Amazon. I have no idea if I'll use a file or not. If the time comes when I need a file then I willcurse myself for not getting it though. No other knives that you can think of?
 
My only thought with the Ranger is that 5 layer SAKs are kinda tough on the pocket for carrying. If the file is your "maybe" tool, then go for the fieldmaster. But my recommendation would be to go for a leatherman Rebar, which with the nylon sheath should be around that 50$ mark, and then carry some scissors separately, like a micra or style, or even some cheap bandage/trauma shears. My thoughts for this are that scissors are often a great loaner tool, so you can hand someone the scissors, and worst case you are out 10 bucks if something goes wrong. handing over your big tool, then having the person decide to use the blade...... It also helps keep people from freaking out as much. I also don't want to cause you to spend over your limits, just presenting options.

The fieldmaster is a good choice, and later on down the road if you find you should have had the file, then the mountaineer is a good one, but you loose the back side philips.
 
Awesome! I've looked at the rebar, and it looks a little chunky. Not sure how well that would turn out in my pocket. I guess I'm gonna go with the Fieldmaster, cause the file is my "maybe" tool. Thanks much guys.
 
Leatherman side kick or wingman. I forget which has a saw, one has scissors instead. But despite being inexpensive and made in China they are quality tools. I used mine to build fence for almost two years. Carried it everyday for a few years until I lost it on a ferry job :(

Edit: Haha oops. I didn't see that you wanted a saw AND scissors
 
Good stuff man. over time you will get a better feel for which tools you use most often, but you've made a good start. As for the rebar, its generally best on a belt. Not for everyone.
 
Chris Pierce said:
Leatherman side kick or wingman. I forget which has a saw, one has scissors instead. But despite being inexpensive and made in China they are quality tools. I used mine to build fence for almost two years. Carried it everyday for a few years until I lost it on a ferry job :(

Edit: Haha oops. I didn't see that you wanted a saw AND scissors
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That's alright man. At least I got some replies. Most forums people patronize newcomers with little skill.
 
gadgetgeek said:
Good stuff man. over time you will get a better feel for which tools you use most often, but you've made a good start. As for the rebar, its generally best on a belt. Not for everyone.
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Yeah I had a super tool 300 which I lost 2 years ago. Loved it. However it was to big for my pocket. And the rebar is basically the super tool, almost.

Nice to see someone from Seattle. I lived near there for quite a few years. Which ferry did you work on.
Edmonton?
 
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Evan, the mods here try to keep an inviting atmosphere, not much use for echo chambers, or pointless bickering. When I started up here I asked a lot of dumb questions, and probably yapped more than I read. Thankfully, this is a forgiving bunch (outside W&C, but that keeps things contained)
 
My photo studio being solar powered, I will post photographs of a Ranger and a Huntsman tomorrow morning. To me, the difference in size is not significant.

Huntsman is a Fieldmaster with a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. In case you haven't noticed, the Ranger has a corkscrew. Master Craftsman was a Ranger with a Phillips screwdriver. It is long out of production and a collector's item.

Master Craftsman:

6ailr0i.jpg


History lesson from SAKwiki.com:

The Victorinox Master Craftsman is a 91mm Swiss Army Knife with Cellidor scales. It's one of the smaller knives to contain both the metal file/saw as well as the wood saw. The last known variations offer 5 tools on the back of this medium sized package resulting in a very high tool density. This model is closely related to the more common Ranger. In 1986 after a previous procurement of the Master Craftsman by NASA for official use by its astronauts, Victorinox started manufacturing of the Astronaut model with the same tool configuration. This model was also later sold with special handles featuring a metal inlaid image of the space shuttle, causing some to refer to the knife as the Space Shuttle or Shuttle model. A Space Shuttle version is pictured. Discontinued Model.
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show_image.php
 
Thanks PM!!!! Looked through my pile of uncleaned arrivals and in among some Rangers was a Master Craftsman! :thumbup:
 
An MC is one of the only "just because" SAK, not to use probably, but for the bit of space history. Bit jelly of you guys that can get them in bulk, still havn't tracked down where I local airports stuff ends up.
 
Piso Mojado said:
My photo studio being solar powered, I will post photographs of a Ranger and a Huntsman tomorrow morning. To me, the difference in size is not significant.

Huntsman is a Fieldmaster with a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. In case you haven't noticed, the Ranger has a corkscrew. Master Craftsman was a Ranger with a Phillips screwdriver. It is long out of production and a collector's item.

Master Craftsman:

6ailr0i.jpg


History lesson from SAKwiki.com:



show_image.php
Click to expand...
Thanks man for the photos. I like that Fieldmaster has a Phillips instead of a corkscrew, since I don't drink wine.
 
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